Hairdressing tutor is announced as a finalist as Lecturer of the Year in national awards.

A hairdressing tutor from Warrington who teaches at Riverside College, Kingsway Campus, Widnes has been announced as one of the finalists in the Pearson Teaching Awards for Further Education Lecturer of the year 2012.

The prestigious Pearson Teaching Awards offer students a great opportunity to thank outstanding teachers by nominating them with an online thank you message.  The award celebrates exceptional teachers who overcome challenges to get students achieving outstanding results.

Hayley Johnson, from Warrington was nominated by Riverside College students for this award earlier this year and only found out about the nomination when she received a card through the post, letting her know that she had been shortlisted as one of three finalists.

On Wednesday 25^th April the official judges from the Pearson teaching awards arrived at the college to observe Hayley whilst she was teaching, they also took the opportunity to interview Hayley, some of her students and colleagues.  She is now waiting to hear if her nomination will progress to an invitation to the televised award ceremony later this year.

Natalie Thompson, one of the students who nominated Hayley said, “I have been in Hayley’s group for two years and in that time she has always been brilliant to us.  She always has time for us and is always happy to add extra time onto our lessons to make sure we all understand our work. She has taught us more than we needed to know and that has really helped us achieve our best.   We all think that she is not just a teacher, she is also a friend.”

Hayley said, “I didn’t have a clue that my group had nominated me, so it was such a lovely surprise when I received the card through the post.  They have been a fantastic group and have been a joy to teach, they have overcome hurdles and are all achieving great results, I am extremely proud of them all.  I am now looking forward to hearing the results from today.”